Kaiser Chiefs

No pass for this one - an open air gig in Leeds - but I did find that climbing on top of the hospital gave a direct, albeit distant and obstructed view of the stage. Although I'm not a fan of their music I end up singing along whenever I hear it - 'Oh my God I can't believe it!'

"Harvey Nicks, darling"

After weeks of only photographing gigs, it was a refreshing change to spend a few hours in 'Harvey Nichols' for a fashion/reportage shoot. The featured article was about the 'personal shopping' experience, when you are generally pampered and encouraged to part with large wads of cash. Included is an hour with the beautican and your very own sales assistant. When they're charging £3,000 per dress, it's the very least you should have!

Gary Numan

Its a shame his music is so bad because he is a very good showman....

KUBB

Considering some of the bands that have 'sold out' the 1200 capacity arena, it is something of a mystery why 'Kubb' only attracted a couple of hundred tickets. Powerful and sensitive, Scouse/Caribbean front man Harry Collier led a commanding peformance to a select audience in Leeds. With a number of festivals on this years agenda - if you haven't already heard of "Kubb", you will have done by the end of the summer.

Fear Factory

Not the lighting tech's fault, the instructions were for 'dark and mysterious'. The band were very good. But you couldn't see them.

'We Are Scientists'

A bit embarrasing this one. Not for them. For me. After arriving at the stage without my memory card, when I got back and started shooting, I realised it was almost full from the previous gig so I had to delete it - including the pics I had just taken. Whilst I was doing this, leaning against the audience barrier I was grabbed and yanked away by one of the security, only to realise he was saving me from a 'crowd surfer' who was about to land on my head. I'm sure the gig was very good but I left after the next song.

iForward, Russia!

I never listen to Radio 1. Not since Chris Moyles shamelessly mocked the death of 'Best Mate' - and I was only listening to him because he's from Leeds and it seemed like the right thing to do. So, when I put the radio on tonight, because I was editing images on the PC and didnt want to play mp3's at the same time, it was a suprise to hear Steve Lamacq announce 'iForward Russia!' as the best new band on the scene. At the same time I was busy trying to sharpen up their energetic, 'cant-stand-still' lead singer on my laptop. Two days ago I had never heard of them but had been advised by another photographer that they were on the cusp and it was a good time to catch them before they were wrapped up in managerial cotton wool. A few minutes before they came on I asked one of their production team when they were going to start. 'When they're ready', came his cocky, 'I'm with the band' reply. Well, they're here and they're definately ready.... http://www.forwardrussia.com/

Corinne Bailey Rae

...did you hear the one about the church choir trained, Led Zeppelin influenced, classical violin playing, jazz, blues and soul singing Leeds lass? Well, here she is! Corinne Bailey Rae enthralled a sold out arena in her Yorkshire hometown on Saturday night. Not suprisingly, her music is 'a little bit of everything' but 'atmospheric and soulful' throughout. With a silky smooth yet powerful voice, the irony may lie in her signature tune, 'Like A Star', as she is surely destined to become one.

Seth Lakeman

Simple stage and lighting + unpretencious band/audience + music at an undeafening level = great gig? Maybe too mellow - one lady was heard asking the security for a chair half way through the night. Check out http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/

'Stiff Little Fingers'

"My name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, yeah-oh! My name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, yeah-oh!"

Punk. You gotta love it....

The Levellers

I hate to use an Americanism - but ‘They Rocked!’ And while I’m at it....‘Awesome!’ The Levellers have been playing together for almost 20 years and built up quite a fan base. The audience were completely in tune with the band - jumping and singing along, all the way to the back of the hall. I felt left out when everyone knew when to shout the appropriate yell or raise an arm in unison. Next time I’ll be prepared.... Oi!

You're busted!

Having to endure three mediocre support acts, only to be thrown out of the photography pit during the headline acts first song, I don't feel like saying anything positive about 'Fightstar'.

The atmosphere at The Met was buzzing as usual and the expectations were high. Ex-public schoolboy Charles Simpson (lead singer, formerly of manufactured boy band 'Busted') has claimed that he used to get depressed with the bands hit singles and the army of adoring female fans (oh, the horror). His true love had always been 'Heavy Metal' and he desired a maturer audience to appreciate his 'musical talent'. Well he's succeeded - the innocent 10 year old girls have been replaced by spotty 15 year old boys (the queue for chips was longer than the queue for the bar and an 'I am over 18' stamp was being given out on entry). As for his music, well it's more like a stage of adolescence; noisy and rebellious, shouting 'Fuck!' a lot and making 'devil's horns' with your fingers. The ironic thing is that without the fame of Busted, I doubt Fightstar would have filled one of the local pubs never mind 'The Leeds Met'. Whilst he has certainly moved on, Charlie still has a lot of growing up to do.

Experienced?

After spending all last week listening to The Stone Roses and re-living the favourites as 'Fools Gold', 'Waterfall' and 'Sally Cinnamon', the long awaited 'Stone Roses Experience' gig at Leeds Met had a lot to live up to. The audience were jumping and singing along to all the classics but even with the band's energy and enthusiasm, hearing 'Ian Brown' with a broad Scottish accent simply didn't work! The Stone Roses were all about the 'Madchester' music scene of the late '80's/early '90's and their tribute band were about as Mancunian as Haggis, Neeps and Tatties.